President Donald Trump was evacuated after gunfire at the Washington Hilton hotel, where journalists and celebrities were gathered for the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A suspect is in custody, reports dw.com
Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were among those evacuated. There were no reported injuries, and the dinner will be rescheduled for a later date.
The suspect, a 31-year-old man from California, has been taken into custody. A Secret Service agent who was hit has reportedly been hospitalized.
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney in Washington, DC, said the suspect is facing two counts for using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon. She said the suspect will be arraigned before a federal court on Monday.
Trump then addressed reporters from the White House, describing a “room that was just totally unified” and thanking security agents for their quick work. A suspect is in custody, the FBI said.
Trump was attending the media gala for the first time as president. The event had drawn scrutiny because of the tense relationship between the administration and members of the press.
Trump said the shooter had been captured and the man is believed to be from California, adding law enforcement officials have “gone to his apartment.”
Trump said the shooter was a “lone wolf,” with the president saying he believes the incident is not linked to the US-Israel war with Iran.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, also on the podium with Trump during the press briefing, said the investigation was “ongoing” and that he expects charges to be “filed shortly.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said during his remarks that his agency was “conducting witness interviews as we speak.”
Trump said he wanted to stay at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner but was told by security agents that he had to leave. “We wanted to stay tonight,” Trump said. “I will tell you, I fought like hell to stay.” But concerns about his safety came first.
The US president said the shooting was “rather traumatic” for First Lady Melania and praised law enforcement many a time for their quick response.
Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service. One officer was shot, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest.
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.
Trump is addressing reporters at the White House after he and other top leaders of the US were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after a shooting incident outside the ballroom.
